Illumination devices

ABSTRACT

Illumination devices are described. Illumination devices may be for use with eyewear capable of being worn on a face of a user. In one embodiment, an illumination device may comprise a battery assembly having a battery housing and a battery connector. The battery assembly may be configured to be worn by the user. The illumination device may also comprise a light assembly having a light source coupled by a wire to a light connector. The light connector may be capable of being electrically coupled to the battery connector. The light assembly may be configured to be coupled to the eyewear. The illumination device may also comprise a hinge coupling hingedly coupling the light connector to the battery connector. The hinge coupling may have a closed configuration in which the light connector is electrically coupled to the battery connector. The hinge coupling may have an open configuration in which the light connector is not electrically coupled to the battery connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/677,617, filed Nov. 7, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Illumination devices may be used to illuminate an area of interest.Illumination devices may be coupled to eyewear such as surgical loupesand dental loupes. Illumination devices may be turned on and off withlight controls.

When an illumination device is worn on the face of the user, the usermay need to operate the controls to turn on the illumination device.When the illumination device is removed from the face of a user, theillumination device may remain on, and the user may need to remember andthen operate the controls to turn off the illumination device. This maybe inconvenient, especially if the eyewear is frequently worn on andremoved from the face of the user.

What is needed is an illumination device which automatically turns onwhen the eyewear is worn on the face of a user. What is needed is anillumination device which automatically turns off when the eyewear isremoved from the face of a user.

Illumination devices may be turned on and off with controls that aretouched with the hands. This may not be hygienic if the hands are notclean.

What is needed is an illumination device that may be turned on and offwithout being touched by the hands.

SUMMARY

Illumination devices are described. Illumination devices may be for usewith eyewear capable of being worn on a face of a user. In oneembodiment, an illumination device may comprise a battery assemblyhaving a battery housing and a battery connector. The battery assemblymay be configured to be worn by the user. The illumination device mayalso comprise a light assembly having a light source coupled by a wireto a light connector. The light connector may be capable of beingelectrically coupled to the battery connector. The light assembly may beconfigured to be coupled to the eyewear. The illumination device mayalso comprise a hinge coupling hingedly coupling the light connector tothe battery connector. The hinge coupling may have a closedconfiguration in which the light connector is electrically coupled tothe battery connector. The hinge coupling may have an open configurationin which the light connector is not electrically coupled to the batteryconnector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B show one embodiment of an illumination device 1000. FIG. 1Ashows illumination device 1000. FIG. 1B shows illumination device 1000,with battery assembly 1100 worn by a user and light assembly 1200coupled to eyewear E.

FIGS. 2A-2C show perspective, rear, and top views of one embodiment of abattery assembly 1100. FIG. 2D shows a cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of a battery connector 1130.

FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of a light assembly 1200. FIGS. 3B-3C showcross-sectional views of one embodiment of a light connector 1230.

FIG. 4A shows one embodiment of an orientation of battery connector1130. FIG. 4B shows another embodiment of an orientation of batteryconnector 1130.

FIGS. 5A-5B show one embodiment of a hinge coupling 1300.

FIGS. 5C-5D show another embodiment of a hinge coupling 1300. FIGS.5E-5F show another embodiment of a hinge coupling 1300.

FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7B show one embodiment of a method of usingillumination device 1000. FIGS. 6A-6B show a side view of the method.FIGS. 7A-7B show a rear view of the method.

FIGS. 8A-8B show another embodiment of a method of using illuminationdevice 1000.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1B show one embodiment of an illumination device 1000.

FIG. 1A shows illumination device 1000. FIG. 1B shows illuminationdevice 1000, with battery assembly 1100 worn by a user and lightassembly 1200 coupled to eyewear E.

Illumination device 1000 may include a battery assembly 1100. Batteryassembly 1100 may be configured to be worn by a user.

FIGS. 2A-2C show perspective, rear, and top views of one embodiment of abattery assembly 1100. FIG. 2D shows a cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of a battery connector 1130.

Battery assembly 1100 may include a battery housing 1110. Batteryhousing 1110 may be configured to be worn by a user. Battery housing1110 may be configured to be worn at least partially around the neck ofa user.

Battery housing 1110 may be any suitable shape. At least a portion ofthe battery housing 1110 may be worn behind the neck of a user, oraround the back of the neck of a user.

Battery housing 1110 may be U-shaped. Battery housing 1110 may include aleft portion 1111 and a right portion 1112 coupled to a center portion1113. Center portion 1113 may be configured to be worn behind the neckof a user, or around the back of the neck of a user. Center portion 1113may have a width and/or cross-section that is smaller than left portion1111 and/or right portion 1112. Left portion 1111 and right portion 1112may be configured to extend forward along the sides of the neck of auser, or over the shoulders near the neck of a user. Left portion 1111and right portion 1112 may be able to flex outward to fit around theneck of a user. Left portion 1111 and right portion 1112 may curvedownward to fit closer to the upper chest of a user. Battery housing1110 may have a cross-section that is one or more of rectangular,circular, oval, and any other suitable shape.

Battery housing 1110 may include a pod 1114. Pod 1114 may be coupled tocenter portion 1113 of battery housing 1110. Pod 1114 may be formed aspart of or separate from battery housing 1110.

Battery assembly 1100 may include a light control 1115. Light control1115 may be configured to be operated by a part of the face of a user.Light control 1115 may be configured to be operated by one or more ofthe chin, jaw, cheek, and mouth of a user.

Light control 1115 may be positioned to be operated by a part of theface of a user. Light control 1115 may be positioned within reach of apart of the face of a user. Light control 1115 may be coupled to an topsurface 1110 t of battery housing 1110, such as the top surface of leftportion 1111 and/or the top surface of right portion 1112.Alternatively, or in addition, light control 1115 may be coupled to abottom surface of battery housing 1110, such as the bottom surface ofleft portion 1111 and/or the bottom surface of right portion 1112, andoperated by activating the switch between a part of the face of a userand the upper chest of a user.

Light control 1115 may include one or more of a button, capacitivesensor, IR sensor, or any other suitable device. Light control 1115 mayinclude one or more devices.

Light control 1115 may be sized to be operated by a part of the face ofa user. Light control 1115 may be sufficiently large to be operated by apart of the face of a user. Light control 1115 may have a diameterand/or width of approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 2 inch. Lightcontrol 1115 may protrude from a surface of battery housing 1110 toallow it to be operated by a part of the face of a user. Light control1115 may protrude approximately 1/16 inch to approximately ¾ inch from asurface of battery housing 1110.

Light control 1115 may include a power switch 1116. Light control 1115may include a brightness control. Light control 1115 may include awavelength control.

Battery assembly 1100 may include a brightness control 1117. Brightnesscontrol 1117 may be coupled to pod 1114 or any other part of batteryhousing 1110. Brightness control 1117 may include one or more of abutton, capacitive sensor, IR sensor, or any other suitable device.Brightness control 1117 may include one or more devices.

Battery assembly 1100 may include a recharging port 1118. Rechargingport 1118 may be coupled to pod 1114 or any other part of batteryhousing 1110.

Battery assembly 1100 may include a battery connector 1130. Batteryconnector 1130 may be coupled to a portion of battery housing 1110 wornbehind the neck of a user. Battery connector 1130 may be coupled tocenter portion 1113 of battery housing 1110. Battery connector 1130 mayhave a longitudinal axis 1130 x.

Battery connector 1130 may include one or more battery contacts 1131.Battery contacts 1131 may include one or more of a pin, contact pad, andany other suitable contact. Battery contacts 1131 may include contactpads that are one or more of circular, ring-shaped, and any othersuitable shape. Battery contacts 1131 may include one or more contactpads that are concentric.

Battery connector 1130 may include an alignment feature 1132. Alignmentfeature 1132 may protrude from a surface of battery housing 1110.Alignment feature 1132 may be circular, octagonal, hexagonal, square, orany other suitable shape.

Battery connector 1130 may include an attachment element 1133.Attachment element 1133 may be at least partially made of a magneticmaterial such as neodymium, a ferromagnetic material such as iron, orother suitable material. Attachment element 1133 may be shaped like aring, or any other suitable shape. Attachment element 1133 may form atleast a portion of alignment feature 1132.

Battery assembly 1100 may include one or more battery cells 1140. One ormore battery cells 1140 may be coupled to left portion 1111 and/or rightportion 1112. Battery cells 1140 may include one or more of lithium ion,nickel metal hydride, alkaline, and any other suitable power source.

Battery assembly 1100 may have sufficient weight to resist being movedby a light assembly 1200. Battery assembly 1100 may have a weight ofapproximately 0.5 ounces to approximately 12 ounces. Battery cells 1140may weight battery housing 1110 forward when battery housing 1110 isworn by a user, and help to keep battery assembly 1100 in place whenworn by a user.

Illumination device 1000 may include a light assembly 1200. Lightassembly 1200 may be configured to be coupled to eyewear E. Lightassembly 1200 may be coupled to the bridge, the temple, or any othersuitable location of eyewear E. Eyewear E may be configured to be wornby a user. Eyewear E may include a surgical loupe, a dental loupe,safety glasses, or any other eyewear. Eyewear E may be used with aneyewear retainer R. Light assembly 1200 may be configured to be coupledto a mask, headwear, or any other article worn on the face or head.

FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of a light assembly 1200. FIGS. 3B-3C showcross-sectional views of one embodiment of a light connector 1230.

Light assembly 1200 may include a light housing 1210. Light housing 1210may be configured to be coupled to eyewear E, such as the bridge or thetemple of eyewear E.

Light assembly 1200 may include a light source 1220. Light source 1220may be coupled to light housing 1210. Light source 1220 may include oneor more of an LED, an incandescent bulb, and any other suitable lightsource. Light source 1220 may produce one or more of visible light, UVlight, IR light, and any other suitable wavelengths.

Light assembly 1200 may include a light connector 1230. Light connector1230 may be capable of being electrically coupled to battery connector1130. Light assembly 1200 may be capable of receiving power from batteryassembly 1100 when light connector 1230 is electrically coupled tobattery connector 1130.

Light connector 1230 may include a side surface 1230 s. Side surface1230 s of light connector 1230 may have at least a portion that issubstantially flat.

Light connector 1230 may have a diameter and/or width of approximately ⅛inch or more.

Light connector 1230 may include one or more light contacts 1231. Lightcontacts 1231 may be capable of being electrically coupled to batterycontacts 1131. Light contacts 1231 may include one or more of pins,contact pads, and any other suitable contact. Light contacts 1231 mayinclude one or more pogo pins.

Light connector 1230 may include a lip 1232. Lip 1232 may at leastpartially surround light contacts 1231. Lip 1232 may be circular,octagonal, hexagonal, square, or any other suitable shape.

Light connector 1230 may be capable of being fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130. Lip 1232 of light connector 1230 and alignmentfeature 1132 of battery connector 1130 may align and/or center lightconnector 1230 with battery connector 1130. Lip 1232 may include aninner surface 1232 i that is angled or beveled to align and/or centerlight connector 1230 with battery connector 1130. Lip 1232 of lightconnector 1230 may be capable of fitting and/or cooperating withalignment feature 1132 of battery connector 1130. Lip 1232 of lightconnector 1230 may be capable of fitting into and/or around alignmentfeature 1132 of battery connector 1130. Light connector 1230 may have aclearance fit with battery connector 1130.

When light connector 1230 is fittingly coupled to battery connector1130, light connector 1230 is electrically coupled to battery connector1130. When light connector 1230 is fittingly coupled to batteryconnector 1130, light contacts 1231 are electrically coupled to batterycontacts 1131.

Light connector 1230 may include an attachment element 1233. Attachmentelement 1233 of light connector 1230 may be magnetically attracted toattachment element 1133 of battery connector. Attachment element 1233may be at least partially made of a magnetic material such as neodymium,a ferromagnetic material such as iron, or other suitable material.Attachment element 1233 may be shaped like a ring, or any other suitableshape.

Light connector 1230 may be capable of being magnetically coupled tobattery connector 1130. Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230may be capable of being magnetically coupled to attachment element 1133of battery connector 1130.

Light connector 1230 may become magnetically coupled to batteryconnector 1130 when light connector 1230 is brought close to batteryconnector 1130. Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230 may beurged toward attachment element 1133 of battery connector 1130 whenlight connector 1230 is brought close to battery connector 1130. Lightconnector 1230 may become magnetically coupled to battery connector 1130when light connector 1230 is brought approximately 1 inch or less tobattery connector 1130.

Light connector 1230 may be magnetically coupled to battery connector1130 whether or not light connector 1230 is electrically coupled and/orfittingly coupled to battery connector 1130. When light connector 1230is not electrically coupled or fittingly coupled to battery connector1130, light connector 1230 may remain magnetically coupled to batteryconnector 1130, such as on side surface 1230 s of light connector 1230.

When light connector 1230 is magnetically coupled to battery connector1130, and light connector 1230 is electrically coupled and/or fittinglycoupled to battery connector 1130, attachment element 1233 of lightconnector 1230 and attachment element 1133 of battery connector 1130 maybias light contacts 1231 against battery contacts 1131.

Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230 may have a size similarto attachment element 1133 of battery connector 1130. Attachment element1233 of light connector 1230 may have approximately the same diameterand/or width as attachment element 1133 of battery connector 1130.Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230 and attachment element1133 of battery connector 1130 may help to align and/or center lightconnector 1230 with battery connector 1130.

Light connector 1230 may include a strain relief 1239. Strain relief1239 may have a height of approximately 0.25 inches or more.

Light assembly 1200 may include a wire 1240. Wire 1240 may include afront portion 1240 f coupled to light housing 1210 and/or light source1220. Wire 1240 may include a back portion 1240 b coupled to lightconnector 1230. Back portion 1240 b may be coupled to a center of lightconnector 1230, or any other suitable portion of light connector 1230.Wire 1240 may electrically couple light source 1220 to light connector1230. Wire 1240 may carry power and/or a control signal.

Wire 1240 may be configured to be coupled to eyewear E, such as to thetemple of eyewear E. Wire 1240 may be coupled to eyewear E at anattachment point 1240 a. Attachment point 1240 a may be adjusted alongwire 1240 and/or on eyewear E. Wire 1240 may be coupled to eyewear Ewith an attachment 1241, such as a clip or a loop.

Light connector 1230 may be configured to be electrically coupled and/orfittingly coupled to battery connector 1130 when eyewear E is worn onthe face of a user. Light connector 1230 may be configured to be notelectrically coupled and not fittingly coupled to battery connector 1130when eyewear E is not worn on the face of a user.

Wire 1240 may have an actual length, which may be the length of wire1240 between light source 1220 and light connector 1230. Wire 1240 mayhave an effective length, which may be the length of wire 1240 betweenattachment point 1240 a and light connector 1230. The effective lengthof wire 1240 may be adjusted by changing attachment point 1240 a. Theeffective length of wire 1240 may be equal to the actual length if thereis no attachment point 1240 a.

The effective length of wire 1240 may be configured to cause and/orallow light connector 1230 to be electrically coupled and/or fittinglycoupled to battery connector 1130 when eyewear E is worn on the face ofa user. The effective length of wire 1240 may be long enough to causeand/or allow light connector 1230 to be electrically coupled and/orfittingly coupled to battery connector 1130 when eyewear E is worn onthe face of a user.

The effective length of wire 1240 may be configured depending on adistance between attachment point 1240 a and battery connector 1130 wheneyewear E is worn on the face of a user. The effective length of wire1240 may be configured depending on the size of the head of a user.

The effective length of wire 1240 may be configured to not allow lightconnector 1230 to be electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130 when eyewear E is not worn on the face of a user.The effective length of wire 1240 may be short enough to not allow lightconnector 1230 to be electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130 when eyewear E is not worn on the face of a user.

The effective length of wire 1240 may be configured depending on adistance between attachment point 1240 a and battery connector 1130 wheneyewear E is not worn on a the face of a user, such as when eyewear E isrested on the upper torso or the chest of a user. The effective lengthof wire 1240 may be configured depending on where eyewear E is rested ona user, which may depend on a length of eyewear retainer R, which may beadjustable.

The effective length of wire 1240 may be configured to cause and/orallow light connector 1230 to be magnetically coupled to batteryconnector 1130 when eyewear E is worn on the face of a user. Theeffective length of wire 1240 may be long enough to cause and/or allowlight connector 1230 to be magnetically coupled to battery connector1130 when eyewear E is worn on the face of a user. The effective lengthof wire 1240 may be configured to allow light connector 1230 to remainmagnetically coupled to battery connector 1130, such as on side surface1230 s of light connector 1230, when eyewear E is not worn on the faceof a user.

Wire 1240 may have an actual length of approximately 10 inches toapproximately 30 inches, or approximately 12 inches to approximately 24inches. Wire 1240 may have an effective length of approximately 10inches to approximately 30 inches, or approximately 12 inches toapproximately 24 inches. Wire 1240 may have a diameter of approximately28 AWG to approximately 16 AWG. Wire 1240 may include stranded and/orsolid wire.

FIG. 4A shows one embodiment of an orientation of battery connector1130. Battery connector 1130 may be coupled to a back surface 1110 b ofbattery housing 1110. Battery connector 1130 may be coupled to a backsurface 1114 b of pod 1114. Battery connector 1130 may face in the backdirection, or up to approximately 45 degrees from the back direction.Alternatively, battery connector 1130 may face up, down, or anydirection perpendicular to the left direction or the right direction, orup to approximately 45 degrees from any direction perpendicular to theleft direction or the right direction.

Longitudinal axis 1130 x of battery connector 1130 may point in the backdirection, or up to approximately 45 degrees from the back direction.Alternatively, longitudinal axis 1130 x of battery connector 1130 maypoint up, down, or any direction perpendicular to the left direction orthe right direction, or up to approximately 45 degrees from anydirection perpendicular to the left direction or the right direction.

When light connector 1230 is electrically coupled and/or fittinglycoupled to battery connector 1130, strain relief 1239 and/or backportion 1240 b of wire 1240 may extend from light connector 1230 in theback direction, or up to approximately 45 degrees from the backdirection. Alternatively, strain relief 1239 and/or back portion 1240 bof wire 1240 may extend up, down, or any direction perpendicular to theleft direction or the right direction, or up to approximately 45 degreesfrom any direction perpendicular to the left direction or the rightdirection.

FIG. 4B shows another embodiment of an orientation of battery connector1130. Battery connector 1130 may be coupled to a side surface 1110 s ofbattery housing 1110. Battery connector 1130 may be coupled to a sidesurface 1114 s of pod 1114. Battery connector 1130 may face the leftdirection or the right direction, or up to approximately 45 degrees fromthe left direction or the right direction.

Longitudinal axis 1130 x of battery connector 1130 may point in the leftdirection or the right direction, or up to approximately 45 degrees fromthe left direction or the right direction.

When light connector 1230 is electrically coupled and/or fittinglycoupled to battery connector 1130, strain relief 1239 and/or backportion 1240 b of wire 1240 may extend from light connector 1230 in theback direction, or up to approximately 45 degrees from the backdirection. Alternatively, strain relief 1239 and/or back portion 1240 bof wire 1240 may extend up, down, or any direction perpendicular to theleft direction or the right direction, or up to approximately 45 degreesfrom any direction perpendicular to the left direction or the rightdirection.

Illumination device 1000 may include a hinge coupling 1300. Hingecoupling 1300 may be coupled to light connector 1230 and batteryconnector 1130. Hinge coupling 1300 may hingedly couple light connector1230 to battery connector 1130. Hinge coupling 1300 may be configured tokeep light connector 1230 hingedly coupled to battery connector 1130whether or not light connector 1230 is electrically coupled and/orfittingly coupled to battery connector 1130.

Hinge coupling 1300 may have a closed configuration and an openconfiguration. In the closed configuration, light connector 1230 may beelectrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled to battery connector 1130.In the open configuration, light connector 1230 may be in any positionwhere light connector 1230 is not electrically coupled or fittinglycoupled to battery connector 1130.

Hinge coupling 1300 may be biased toward the closed configuration, andonly be in the open configuration when held or maintained in the openconfiguration. Alternatively, hinge coupling 1300 may be stable in boththe closed configuration and the open configuration.

FIGS. 5A-5B shows one embodiment of a hinge coupling 1300. Hingecoupling 1300 may include a magnetic hinge 1310. Magnetic hinge 1310 mayinclude attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230 and attachmentelement 1133 of battery connector 1130. Magnetic hinge 1310 may includelip 1232 of light connector 1230 and alignment feature 1132 of batteryconnector 1130.

FIG. 5A shows magnetic hinge 1310 in a closed configuration. Lightconnector 1230 may be electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130.

FIG. 5B shows magnetic hinge 1310 in an open configuration. Lightconnector 1230 is not electrically coupled or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130. Side surface 1230 s of light connector 1230 mayrest on or against battery connector 1130. Edge of lip 1232 may restagainst alignment feature 1132.

Light connector 1230 may be magnetically coupled to battery connector1130 when magnetic hinge 1310 is in both the closed configuration andthe open configuration. Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230may be magnetically coupled to attachment element 1133 of batteryconnector 1130 when magnetic hinge 1310 is in both the closedconfiguration and the open configuration.

Lip 1232 of light connector 1230 may cooperate with alignment feature1132 of battery connector 1130 to open magnetic hinge 1310. Lip 1232 oflight connector 1230 may press against alignment feature 1132 of batteryconnector 1130 to open magnetic hinge 1310.

Magnetic hinge 1310 may be broken by separating light connector 1230 andbattery connector 1130 to separate attachment element 1233 of lightconnector 1230 and attachment element 1133 of battery connector 1130.When magnetic hinge 1310 is broken, light connector 1230 may be notmagnetically coupled to battery connector 1130.

FIGS. 5C-5D show another embodiment of a hinge coupling 1300. Hingecoupling 1300 may include a mechanical hinge 1320. Mechanical hinge 1320may include a first leaf 1321 and a second leaf 1322 coupled by a joint1323. First leaf 1321 may be coupled to battery connector 1130. Secondleaf 1322 may be coupled to light connector 1230. First leaf 1321 may beseparably coupled to second leaf 1322. Mechanical hinge 1320 may bespring-loaded to be biased toward the closed configuration.

FIG. 5C shows mechanical hinge 1320 in a closed configuration. Lightconnector 1230 may be electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130. Light connector 1230 may be magnetically coupledto battery connector 1130.

FIG. 5D shows mechanical hinge 1320 in an open configuration. Lightconnector 1230 is not electrically coupled or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130. Light connector 1230 may be magnetically coupledto battery connector 1130 or not.

Mechanical hinge 1320 may be broken by disassembling joint 1323 toseparate second leaf 1322 and first leaf 1321.

FIGS. 5E-5F show another embodiment of a hinge coupling 1300. Hingecoupling 1300 may include a tether coupling 1330. Tether coupling 1330may include a first end portion 1331 and a second end portion 1332.First end portion 1331 may be coupled to battery connector 1130. Secondend portion 1332 may be coupled to light connector 1230.

FIG. 5E shows tether coupling 1330 in a closed configuration. Lightconnector 1230 may be electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130. Light connector 1230 may be magnetically coupledto battery connector 1130.

FIG. 5F shows tether coupling 1330 in an open configuration. Lightconnector 1230 is not electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled tobattery connector 1130. Light connector 1230 may be magnetically coupledto battery connector 1130 or not.

FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7B show one embodiment of a method of usingillumination device 1000. FIGS. 6A-6B show a side view of the method.FIGS. 7A-7B show a rear view of the method.

Battery assembly 1100 is worn by a user. Light assembly 1200 is coupledto eyewear E. Hinge 1300 hingedly couples light connector 1230 tobattery connector 1130.

FIGS. 6A and 7A show wearing eyewear E on the face to cause and/or allowlight connector 1230 to be electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupledto battery connector 1130. Wearing eyewear E on the face gives enough ofwire 1240 to cause and/or allow hinge coupling 1300 to close into theclosed configuration, and causes and/or allows light connector 1230 tobe electrically coupled and/or fittingly coupled to battery connector1130. Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230 and attachmentelement 1133 of battery connector 1130 urges light connector 1230 towardbattery connector 1130, and light connector 1230 is magnetically coupledto battery connector 1130.

FIGS. 6B and 7B show removing eyewear E from the face to cause lightconnector 1230 to be not electrically coupled and/or not fittinglycoupled to battery connector 1130. Removing eyewear E from the facepulls enough of wire 1240 to cause hinge coupling 1300 to open into theopen configuration, and/or to cause light connector 1230 to be notelectrically coupled and/or not fittingly coupled to battery connector1130. Attachment element 1233 of light connector 1230 and attachmentelement 1133 of battery connector 1130 may keep light connector 1230magnetically coupled to battery connector 1130. Side surface 1230 s oflight connector 1230 may rest on or against battery connector 1130.

Removing eyewear E from the face exerts a pull force on wire 1240,overcomes the magnetic attraction between light connector 1230 andbattery connector 1130, and causes hinge coupling 1300 to open into theopen configuration. The pull force needed on wire 1240 may be reduced bya moment arm created by the height of strain relief 1239 and/or thewidth of light connector 1230.

FIGS. 8A-8B show another embodiment of a method of using illuminationdevice 1000.

FIG. 8A shows battery assembly 1100 worn by a user, light assembly 1200coupled to eyewear E, and eyewear E worn on the face of the user.

FIG. 8B shows operating light control 1115 with a part of the face of auser. Operating light control 1115 may include pressing a power switch1116 with the chin of the user to turn on light source 1220.

While the foregoing has been with reference to particular embodiments ofthe invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges in these embodiments may be made without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An illumination device, comprising: a battery assembly configured to be worn by a user, the battery assembly having a battery housing that is U-shaped, the battery housing having a left portion and a right portion coupled to a center portion, the center portion of the battery housing configured to be worn behind a neck of the user, the left portion and the right portion of the battery housing configured to extend forward along the sides of the neck of the user; and a light control coupled to at least one of the left portion and the right portion, the light control configured to be operated by a part of a face of the user.
 22. The illumination device of claim 21, wherein the light control includes one or more buttons.
 23. The illumination device of claim 21, wherein the light control is coupled to a top surface of at least one of the left portion and the right portion.
 24. The illumination device of claim 21, wherein the light control includes a power switch.
 25. The illumination device of claim 21, wherein the light control includes a brightness control.
 26. The illumination device of claim 21, wherein the part of the face of the user includes one or more of the chin, jaw, cheek, and mouth. 